FAQ

I am LGBTQ. Will you honor my identity, name, and pronouns?

Absolutely. We respect how people identify, including their use or non-use of sexual/gender identity labels, as well as their name and pronouns. We also ask that others in our communities uphold this same respect for those around them.

I do not identify by an LGBTQ label. Will you honor how I describe my experience? I experience same-sex attraction and/or gender dysphoria.

Absolutely. We know many who would describe themselves as experiencing same-sex attraction and/or gender dysphoria, or otherwise describing themselves or identifying in another way regarding their experiences with gender and/or sexuality. We respect how people identify, including their use or non-use of sexual/gender identity labels, as well as their name and pronouns. We also ask that others in our communities uphold this same respect for those around them.

I am not out to my family/community. Can I still access your resources?

Because we know the importance of safe, confidential community, confidentiality is our top priority. We will never “out” a person or a parent to their community. If you do not feel safe being “out” to your community, be aware of how you engage with us publicly, but know that in our meetings, events, and communication, we do our best to uphold your privacy and confidentiality.

My child is LGBTQ and the rest of my family/church/community does not know. Can I still access your resources?

What do you believe about conversion therapy?

Conversion therapy is defined as any attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. We have not, do not, nor will we ever support or practice conversion therapy or any other type of sexual orientation change effort (SOCE). We respect adults’ decisions to pursue whatever support they believe is helpful. We are aware that conversion therapy and similar practices by conservative ministries in the past have produced deep harm for LGBTQ youth and adults. We take particular care to protect young people from any form of manipulation.

What are your beliefs?

We believe the Story of Jesus, also called the Gospel, is good news for everyone. You can read a summary of this story on our About Page.

Does Kaleidoscope support mandated celibacy for LGBTQ people?

We do not believe anyone should feel forced or coerced into any use or non-use of their sexuality. We respect people who choose celibacy and will encourage them in their commitment and conviction. We also respect people who choose to date, partner, or marry, and we are committed to invest in their spiritual growth equality. We believe all have ways to contribute to, receive from, and hold influence/leadership in the spaces we foster, for this is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Wherever we see leaders, especially spiritual leaders, using their influence to coerce someone sexually, including coercing or threatening someone into celibacy through direct or indirect use of their power, we will use whatever authority we have to prevent that person from having further influence at Kaleidoscope.

Wherever a leader cannot respect a person’s decision for singleness or celibacy, and attempts to coerce a person into sexual, romantic, or relational activity they would not choose, that person will also be removed from influence at Kaleidoscope.

I recently heard Kaleidoscope partnered with an organization I dislike. Does that mean Kaleidoscope agrees with that organization?

Kaleidoscope is a bridge-building organization that believes growth can happen when we choose respect and proximity with people who differ from us. This manifests in ways such as:

We are fundamentally a multi-ethnic organization. Fostering this diversity takes work, like rejecting white supremacy and letting our values drive our fundraising rather than tolerating donors who do not support these values. Serving our communities together and communicating across cultures is tricky, but we are dedicated to understanding one another and respecting one another across these differences.

We are an organization that believes Jesus Christ has an important role in our lives and He is the way, the truth, and the life for all people. However, how we engage people in their religious and spiritual identity is with deep respect and space. We have no desire to force any belief on any person, but rather to do the hard work of creating space for people to bring their beliefs, doubts, convictions, and uncertainties to the table alongside others who differ.

We believe all LGBTQ+ people deserve spiritual spaces to grow in their faith and in their spiritual leadership. We foster spaces where queer people can lead; where “affirming” and “non-affirming” people can all have a voice and are legitimate. We have found disrespect around our differing convictions to be a threat to this diversity. Wherever someone cannot respect these differences, their capacity to engage in Kaleidoscope will unfortunately be limited.

Bridge-building work requires a combination of (a) “mixed” spaces where different demographics or people groups can engage with one another, and (b) “protected” spaces where a particular demographic can do work necessary before they can fully enter into mixed spaces with respect. For example, we bring pastors through our 8-week “Safe Pastor Training” intensive together so they can receive vital education before entering into queer spaces. We also have LGBTQ-only spaces where queer people can do vital healing work before engaging deeply with straight/cisgender pastors. Our intent here is not exclusionary; on the contrary, our protected spaces actually prepare us to come together more respectfully.

We seek to humbly promote spiritual flourishing for LGBTQ+ people in whatever spaces we can. You may see us partnering in service activities in our neighborhoods with organizations, even across political lines. You may see us speaking at affirming conferences and non-affirming conferences. “You might see us in a variety of spaces across diverse perspectives and missions. We desire to be where our LGBTQ+ neighbors are present. We are firmly committed to all LGBTQ+ people, believing each deserves our presence and proximity.

We are a bridge-building organization that seeks to help LGBTQ+ step into spiritual safety, growth, and conversation. If you’re looking for an organization to oppose, boycott, and tear down other organizations, whether politically, legally, through social media trolling, or by any other means – we confess that this activity is not where we choose as an organization to focus our energy.

FAQ